The Hangman's Tree- Miller (FL) 1950 Morris A
[From Folksongs of Florida by Alton C. Morris. 1950 p. 296. This is not a local title and was probably assigned by Morris or an associate. Both A and C were taken from a Bob Miller, Morris fails to say if they are the same person.
R. Matteson 2015]
"THE HANGMAN'S TREE." Recorded from the singing of Mrs. J. D. Blanton, Live Oak. She secured the text and tune from Mr. Bob Miller, Live Oak, who learned it from his parents, whose families have lived in north Florida for several generations.
"Oh, hangman, hangman, hold your rope,
And wait a little while;
I think I see my father coming;
He's walked ten thousand miles.
"Oh, have you come to bring me gold,
Oh, have you set me free,
Or have you come to see me hung
Upon the gallowsee?"[1]
"I have not come to bring you gold,
I have not set you free;
But I have come to see you hung
Upon the gallowsee."
"Oh, hangman, hangman, hold your rope,
And wait a little while;
I think I see my mother coming;
She's walked ten thousand miles.
"Oh, have you come to bring me gold,
Oh, have you set me free,
Or have you come to see me hung
Upon the gallowsee?"
"I have not come to bring you gold,
I have not set you free;
But I have come to see you hung
Upon the gallowsee."
"Oh, hangman, hangman, hold your rope,
And wait a little while;
I think I see my brother coming;
He's walked ten thousand miles.
"Oh, have You come to bring me gold,
Oh, have You set me free,
Or have You come to see me hung
Upon the gallowsee?"
"I have not come to bring You gold,
I have not set You free;
But I have come to see You hung
Upon the gallowsee."
"Oh, hangman, hangman, hold your rope,
And wait a little while;
I think I see my sister coming;
She's walked ten thousand miles.
"Oh, have You come to bring me gold,
Oh, have You set me free,
Or have You come to see me hung
Upon the gallowsee?"
"I have not come to bring You gold,
I have not set You free;
But I have come to see you hung
Upon the gallowsee."
"Oh, hangman, hangman, hold your rope,
And wait a little while;
I think I see my sweetheart coming;
She's walked ten thousand miles.
"Oh, have you come to bring me gold,
Oh, have you set me free,
Or have you come to see me hung
Upon the gallowsee?"
' "Oh, yes, I've come to bring You gold;
Oh, yes, I've set you free;
But I have not come to see You hung
Upon the gallowsee."
1. gallow's tree